fort mcmurray fire relief

Fort McMurray Fire Relief

FORT MCMURRAY RELIEF

A wildfire in Fort McMurray has forced the evacuation of the entire community, including others areas south of the city. Firefighters are trying to battle the out-of-control blaze, which has already destroyed homes and is threatening infrastructure.

FORT MCMURRAY, ALBERTA – Crews fighting to save Fort McMurray from rampaging flames water bombed the city Thursday to try to keep away a wildfire so intense it has spawned its own weather.

“It was creating its own high winds yesterday and even lightning was coming from the smoke clouds it created,” Chad Morrison of Alberta Forestry told a briefing in Edmonton. Officials could not update the number of structures that have burned — already at 1,600 — saying crews had not had the time.

“This is an extreme fire event,” said Morrison. “Our first priority, obviously, was the community and the homes as well as the critical infrastructure.”

Morrison said there were 22 water bombers at work and more were coming in, including four from Quebec. “But let me be clear: air tankers are not going to stop this fire,” he said. “It is going to continue to push through these dry conditions until we actually get some significant rain.”

Crews received a small break Thursday with temperatures forecast to fall to 16 C from the low 30s. But low humidity and high winds were expected to keep the situation fluid and dangerous.

“I expect this fire to continue to grow,” said Morrison.

Please MAKE A DONATION to the Red Cross. Every dollar helps. 



Upcoming Fundraisers in Edmonton, Alberta:

Fort McMurray Relief Show

Fire Next Time, Desiderata, Birds Bear Arms, Smokey and the Feeelings, Worst Days Down (Solo), The Nielsens, A New Rhetoric, with more acts and silent auction!

Date: Sunday, May 8 , 2016
Location: The Buckingham (1049 82 Ave, Edmonton, AB)
Start time: 4:00 P.M.
Tickets: BY DONATION

FOR FORT MAC – A Benefit

Jr. Gone Wild, The Hearts, Derina Harvey Band, Ayla Brook & his Soundmen, Jesse and the Dandelions, Joe Nolan, The Band The Band, Mark Davis, The TWO DOLLAR WHORES, 100 mile house, Lindsey Walker, Braden Gate’s Alex Vissia, Lucas Chaisson, Ben Sir, PTO, Natalie Bryson, James Renton, Rusty,
Emceed by Jon Mick with more acts and silent auction!

Date: Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Location: The Needle Vinyl Tavern (10524 – Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, AB)
Start time: 5:00 P.M.
Tickets: $10.00 (ten dollars) per ticket (attendees are welcome to donate more).

We encourage the country music community across Canada to put together music fundraisers – please contact [email protected] with details.